A new study by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Boston Children's Hospital has revealed that skin-to-skin contact reduces deaths of infants with low birth weight. These infants are vulnerable, especially during their first month, and researchers encourage skin contact or kangaroo mother care (KMC). Health experts say that mothers in developing countries, which do not have advanced conventional treatments, will likely rejoice about these finding.

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The researchers studied 124 cases published from 2000 to 2014 and looked at skin contact as a KMC component. They also included studies on breastfeeding. The researchers found out that there is a 36 percent reduction in mortality and 47 percent reduction in major infection in babies who weighed less than two kilograms when skin contact is present.

Infants, who received one hour of post-birth skin-to-skin contact, were found to be less stressed and their heart and breathing rates were more stable. These babies digested their food better and cried less. A mother's warm skin can prevent the baby from cooling down, which is a huge health risk. It can also let the baby pick up friendly bacteria, which can help prevent infections. Like other mammals, a new baby's instinct is to be in close contact with his or her mother or father.

Researchers say that mothers also benefit from KMC in that it decreases their stress level. It showed an improved overall experience in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). KMC reportedly gives newborns higher levels of oxygen, head circumference growth and lower pain measures.

Four million babies die during their first month around the world every year. Incubators and other health technologies can improve the chances of infants at a high risk, but developing countries may not have such equipment. 99 percent of neonatal deaths happen in such countries because of the lack of facilities.

Tagskangaroo mother care, Benefits of Baby Skin-Contact, Skin-Contact Underweight Babies, Natal Care, baby